After coming up short in her professional debut - a majority-decision loss Oct. 28, 2005 - Demi Nguyen put it all together. She sharpened her jab and began sitting down on punches for maximum power.

Middleweight Demi Nguyen

Nguyen (pronounced win) began utilizing her speed more effectively - landing two, three punches at a time, while eluding opponents' shots. The improvements helped Nguyen go on a four-fight win streak.

Long hours in the gym had paid off. The quick-fisted middleweight, who stopped each of her two most recent opponents, was starting to garner attention.

It was time for Nguyen to up the ante. Dakota Stone was chosen to offer the test that would determine just how far Nguyen had come.

Nguyen was the superior fighter, skill-wise. But to walk away victorious on April 17 required being fully prepared, physically and mentally. To increase her chances of success, Nguyen trained vigorously.

But traveling to San Manuel Casino in Highland, Calif., for the bout, Nguyen began to feel ill. Her temperature rose slightly and she felt sluggish. Nguyen would have to compete at less than 100 percent.

"I knew my reflexes weren't going to be as sharp, my footwork wasn't going to be as quick or my reaction time was going to be a little slower," Nguyen told The Star-Ledger. "But I knew that I would get through the six rounds."

From the opening bell, it was evident Nguyen was in for a tough night. She was gasping for air by the middle of the first round and her punches didn't have their usual quickness.

Nguyen's will to survive got her through the fight. But it wasn't enough to earn a decision. She failed to win a round on any of the judges' cards.

Not being able to perform has made this loss hard to swallow. Nguyen respects Stone (9-7-5), but wants another shot at her.

"I can't wait to get back in the ring," Nguyen said. "I want to return against Dakota Stone and have the fight we should have had the first time. I want to put this loss to rest."